At its October
meeting, the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission unanimously approved a
land access agreement with J.M. Huber Corporation, a private forest investment
company, to maintain public recreational access to 4,440 acres of the Honobia
Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA).

The property was
previously enrolled by the John Hancock Company and will remain a part of the
Honobia Creek WMA. The cooperative agreement allows continued public access by
hunters, anglers and wildlife watchers to the timber lands under the existing
Land Access Fee permit. Established in 1996, all revenues generated by the Land
Access Fee permit are used exclusively in the management of Honobia Creek and
Three Rivers wildlife management areas, both of which are privately owned WMAs
made available to the public through special agreements.

“Although managed for
timber production, the J.M. Huber Corporation is dedicated to enhancing Honobia
Creek WMA’s fish and wildlife resources and providing quality public
recreation,” said Dan Lewia, management forester for the J.M. Huber Corporation.
“Together, the J.M. Huber Corporation and the Wildlife Department will work to
enhance fish and wildlife habitat and provide additional hunting and fishing
opportunities.”

Using Land Access Fee
revenue, the Wildlife Department will coordinate with the J.M. Huber Corporation
for various projects including the construction of wildlife watering ponds,
establishment of forest openings, planting of supplemental food crops for
wildlife and improving hunting opportunities. Land Access Fee revenue is also
used to develop camping areas, conduct winter prescribed burns, and improve
roads that access popular hunting and fishing areas. By purchasing a Land Access
Fee $16 (Oklahoma residents) or $25 (non-residents), the Honobia Creek Wildlife
Management Area offers year-round recreation for the entire family.

Also at their October
meeting, Jontie Aldrich, with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (USFWS) Tulsa
Office, provided Commissioners with an informational presentation on the
Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, a cooperative habitat conservation
effort. Since the voluntary program was initiated in the state in 1991, it has
helped fund more than 800 projects in Oklahoma totaling more than 23,000 acres.
In 2005, the program provided $75,000 for on-the-ground conservation work in the
state. The projects range in scope from small wetland restorations to expansive
cedar removal projects to elementary outdoor classrooms.

Aldrich presented
Wildlife Department Director Greg Duffy with a plaque in honor of his support of
the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program.

“Greg Duffy is one of
the top state wildlife directors and his dedication to the wildlife resources
and willingness to overcome any obstacles has been a critical component of the
success off this program in Oklahoma,” Aldrich told the Commission.

In other business,
Commissioners recognized eight different Department employees who have served at
least 20 years each.

The following
employees were recognized for their service to the Department:

Kim Erickson, fisheries division chief, for 35 years;

David Foltz, state game warden stationed in Garfield County, for 25
years;

Steve Loveland, state game warden station in Mayes County, for 25 years;

Bill Hobbs, state game warden stationed in Delaware County, for 25
years;

Harry Steele, state game warden stationed in Beckham County, for 25
years;

Jeff Brown, state game warden supervisor stationed in Nowata County, for
20 years;

Jerry Henry, state game warden stationed in Sequoyah County, for 20
years; and

Joe Hemphill, southeast region wildlife supervisor, for 30 years.

Also at the meeting, the
Commission voted to withdraw the agency’s retirement funds from the ING
Corporation and invest those funds with the Bank of Oklahoma.

In other business,
the Commission also passed an emergency rule which exempts areas that have been
enclosed in a high fence for more than 10 years from the requirement to conduct
a deer drive and animal tagging requirements before the property is re-licensed
to a new owner. Once the area is approved as a commercial hunt area all current
regulations will remain in place.

The Wildlife
Conservation Commission is the eight-member governing board of the Oklahoma
Department of Wildlife Conservation. The Wildlife Commission establishes state
hunting and fishing regulations, sets policy for the Wildlife Department, and
indirectly oversees all state fish and wildlife conservation activities.
Commission members are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate.

The next scheduled
Commission meeting is November 7 at the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife
Conservation headquarters (auditorium), at the southwest corner of 18th and
North Lincoln, Oklahoma City at 9:00 a.m.

If it is true that
wisdom comes with experience, then the employees of the Oklahoma Department of
Wildlife Conservation are some of the smartest folks around.

At its October
meeting, the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission recognized eight
different Department employees who have collectively served sportsmen and the
state’s fish and wildlife resources for more than 200 years. Wildlife Department
employees are some of the longest tenured employees of any state agency.

“Our Department is
only as good as our employees,” said Director Greg Duffy. “We are blessed with
so many hardworking and talented employees who share a common passion for the
outdoors. It makes it a pleasure to come to work, and I think that is why so
many have been with the Wildlife Department for so many years.

While there are many
other Wildlife Department employees who have served at least 20 years, the
following employees were recognized for their service to the Department at the
Commission’s October meeting:

Kim Erickson, fisheries division chief, for 35 years;

David Foltz, state game warden stationed in Garfield County, for 25 years;

Steve Loveland, state game warden station in Mayes County, for 25 years;

Bill Hobbs, state game warden stationed in Delaware County, for 25 years;

Harry Steele, state game warden stationed in Beckham County, for 25 years;

Jeff Brown, state game warden supervisor stationed in Nowata County, for 20
years;

Jerry Henry, state game warden stationed in Sequoyah County, for 20 years;
and

Joe Hemphill, southeast region wildlife supervisor, for 30 years.

Also at their October
meeting, Jontie Aldrich, with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (USFWS) Tulsa
Office, presented Director Greg Duffy with a plaque in honor of his
contributions to the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program.

“Greg Duffy is one of
the top state wildlife directors and his dedication to the wildlife resources
and willingness to overcome any obstacles has been a critical component of the
success off this program in Oklahoma,” Aldrich said.

Since the voluntary
program was initiated in the state in 1991, it has helped fund more than 800
habitat restoration projects in Oklahoma totaling more than 23,000 acres. The
projects range in scope from small wetland restorations to expansive cedar
removal projects to elementary outdoor classrooms.

Thousands of Oklahoma youth will
soon head afield to participate in Oklahoma's third annual youth antlerless deer
gun season October 14-16.

“The youth antlerless season is a
great opportunity for kids to spend some quality time in a hunting blind with
family and friends,” said Colin Berg, education supervisor for the Oklahoma
Department of Wildlife Conservation. “I was lucky enough to see my step son
harvest his first deer during the first youth antlerless gun season and it’s an
experience he and I will never forget.”

Open to kids under 18 years of
age, the special youth antlerless deer gun season was created to encourage youth
to head into the woods and to provide additional opportunities to harvest
antlerless deer.

Berg added that safety is the key
to a good hunting season, so new and experienced hunters are encouraged to
attend an upcoming hunter education course before heading afield.

Oklahoma law requires anyone under
16 years of age to successfully complete a hunter education course before
hunting big game (deer, elk, antelope) with a centerfire rifle, shotgun with
single rifled slug or muzzleloader. The law also requires that anyone born on or
after Jan. 1, 1972, upon reaching 16 years of age, must exhibit a hunter safety
certificate from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation or a like
certificate from another state to purchase or receive any Oklahoma hunting
license. Hunters born after the above date, who purchased a lifetime license
before they turned 16, must complete the course before they can actually begin
hunting.

The Wildlife
Department is accepting entries for the Oklahoma Waterfowl Stamp design
competition. The deadline to submit art is 4:30 p.m., October 28.

The American widgeon
will be featured on the 2006-2007 stamp and all artists must depict this
species, and any habitat appearing in the design must be typical for the widgeon
in Oklahoma. The winning art will be printed on the 2006-2007 Oklahoma Waterfowl
Stamp, which is required of most waterfowl hunters.

Duck stamp sales help
finance many projects that benefit ducks and geese. Since the duck stamp program
began in 1980, thousands of acres of waterfowl habitat have been created through
duck stamp revenues.

Artwork may be of
acrylic, oil, watercolor, scratchboard, pencil, pen and ink, tempera or any
other two-dimensional media. The illustration must be horizontal, 6 1/2 inches
high and 9 inches wide. It must be matted with white mat board 9 inches high by
12 inches wide with the opening cut precisely 6 1/2-by-9. Artwork may not be
framed or under glass, but an acetate covering should be used to protect the
art. For complete entry guidelines, call (405) 521-3856.

Entries should be
sent to the Duck Stamp Competition Coordinator, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife
Conservation, P.O. Box 53465, Oklahoma City, OK 73152. Fed Ex, UPS and other
ground deliveries should be sent to 1801 N. Lincoln, Oklahoma City, OK 73105.

Entries will be
judged on anatomical accuracy, artistic composition and suitability for
printing. The winner and three honorable mentions will appear in a future issue
of “Outdoor Oklahoma” magazine.

A non-refundable
entry fee of $20 (cash, money order or cashier’s check) must accompany each
entry. No entries will be accepted after 4:30 p.m., Oct. 28.

The winning artist
will receive a purchase award of $1,200 and 50 prints (special artist's proof
editions) of the design if the Wildlife Department makes such a reproduction.
The winning entry will become the sole and exclusive property of the Wildlife
Department.

The slow but steady
invasion of cedar trees into native prairie has a very negative impact on
Oklahoma’s quail population, according to Mike Sams, the upland game bird
biologist and quail program coordinator for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife
Conservation.

“Infestation of cedar
is perhaps the best example of how Oklahoma’s landscape has changed due to
factors like urbanization and fire suppression,” Sams said. “By the 1950's
cedars had expanded to cover 1.5 million acres of Oklahoma rangeland. Today,
Eastern red cedars have invaded approximately 10 million acres of rangeland.”

According to Sams
when cedar trees encroach on prairie habitat, bobwhite quail populations tend to
decline. Cedars can have a whole host of negative impacts, particularly
due to their risk of wildfires in rural and suburban settings. Cedar invasions
can also be quite harmful to grassland bird species. Many of Oklahoma’s
grassland bird species are declining at a rate greater than bobwhite quail.

“Cedar control is an
important part of a land management plan for both wildlife and livestock,” Sams
said. “It sounds simple, but the sooner you start to get a hold of the problem
the better. Prescribed fire is one of the best and most efficient methods of not
only removing existing cedar trees but also controlling the spread of new
saplings. Mechanical removal is the most cost-effective option where cedars have
grown too large to be killed by prescribed fire.”

Landowners can
receive technical assistance and may qualify for financial incentives for
removing cedar trees. Those who would like more information about their cedar
control options should contact a regional biologist by calling (405) 521-2739.
Landowners can also contact their county's Natural Resource Conservation agent
for more information.

-30-

Cutline: The slow but
steady invasion of cedar trees into native prairie has a very negative impact on
Oklahoma’s quail population, according to Mike Sams, the upland game bird
biologist and quail program coordinator for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife.

Oklahoma deer hunters
are looking forward to Oct. 22 – the opening day of deer muzzleloader season
across the state.

The statewide season
runs Oct. 22-30, offering nine days of traditional-style hunting that harkens
back to the early days of Oklahoma's hunting heritage. Hunting with a
muzzleloading firearm offers a great chance for Oklahoma hunters to harvest a
deer, and possibly a big buck. Additionally, cool breezes and fall colors make
it a great time to be out in the woods.

Oklahomans are
blessed with a wide variety of terrain that whitetail deer call home. Many of
the more than 77 wildlife management areas in the state are open for all, or a
portion of, the nine-day muzzleloader season. Regardless of where you go it is
always a good idea to do some scouting before the season.

Hunters can do a little virtual
scouting and never leave the comfort of home by logging onto
wildlifedepartment.com. The Web site offers an award-winning digital wildlife
management area atlas. And best of all it is free. In addition to detailed maps,
sportsmen can find additional information such as camping locations and contact
information for local biologists.

More than 100,000
hunters participated in the muzzleloader season last year. These hunters
contributed significantly to the $909 million economic impact produced by all of
Oklahoma's nearly 300,000 hunters according to the most recent economic impact a
survey conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Hunters who may have
misplaced their hunter education card can print off a free replacement by
logging onto the wildlifedepartment.com.

"One of the most
common calls we receive are from people who have lost their hunter education
card. It’s always nice to be able to tell hunters they can get a replacement
card for free off the Internet 24-hours a day," said Lance Meek, hunter
education coordinator for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.

To print off a
temporary card, go to the Department’s home page (wildlifedepartment.com) and
click “need a hunter education class or replacement card”. Once on the Hunter
Education page, individuals can click on, “print off replacement hunter ed
card.” Follow the directions by filling in the requested information; then
clicking 'submit' and the card should appear on the screen.

"Hunters can print
the card out and use it to get their licenses. It will be accepted by license
vendors across the state and in other states as well. The information can also
be useful if you want to request a permanent replacement card," Meek said.

If a card does not
come up, the hunter can contact the Department's Information and Education
Division at (405) 521-4636, Monday-Friday, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. and
Department personnel will check the hunter education database to find a hunter’s
certification record. Those wanting a permanent plastic replacement card can
receive one for $5 (check, cash, money orders or cashiers checks accepted) by
visiting the Department's Oklahoma City headquarters or submitting a letter to:
Attn: Replacement Hunter Education Card, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife
Conservation, P.O. Box 53465, Oklahoma City, OK 73152.

Letters must contain the hunter's
name as it appeared on the original card, current address, birth date and
student number if known. Those who do not know their student number should
provide the date and location for the course they attended. They should also
include a daytime phone number so additional information can be obtained if
needed.

Oklahoma youngsters
age 12 to 15 have an opportunity to apply for special controlled waterfowl hunts
sponsored by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.

The hunts are
designed to provide youth who do not have an adult mentor who waterfowl hunts an
opportunity to experience the traditions of waterfowling.

“Taking young hunters
afield is one of the most important things we can do to pass on our hunting
heritage and a true appreciation for the waterfowl resource,” said Mike
O’Meilia, migratory game bird biologist with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife
Conservation. “There are just too many good opportunities to not make plans to
take a young hunter this year. Whether you take a son or daughter or a
neighbor’s child out on one of the youth waterfowl weekend days that wouldn’t
otherwise have the chance to go, this can be a truly memorable experience.”

Youth hunters will
be randomly drawn from a list of applicants for each hunting area. Applicants
must be 12 to 15 years of age, have proof of successfully completing a certified
hunter education course, and have an adult guardian who can accompany them on
the hunt.

A Wildlife
Department employee will accompany each youth and their adult guardian for the
controlled waterfowl hunt at one of several Department-managed areas. Only the
youth hunter will be allowed to hunt.

Each youth applicant
and their guardian may apply only once and must provide the following
information on a 3x5 postcard to be eligible for the drawing: names, addresses,
telephone numbers, youth’s hunter education number, the name of the desired hunt
location and two alternate hunt locations where they would like to hunt. The
specific date of the hunt will be coordinated with successful applicants after
the drawing.

Applications must be
received by October 24, 2005, and should be mailed to the Oklahoma Department of
Wildlife Conservation, Youth Waterfowl Hunts, P.O. Box 53465, Oklahoma City, OK
73152. Successful applicants will be notified by October 28, 2005.

The Wildlife
Department will provide successful applicants the necessary nontoxic shotgun
shells and a 20 gauge single shot shotgun will be available for use if the youth
does not have his or her own shotgun.

2005-06 Youth Waterfowl
Hunting Locations:

Altus-Lugert Lake

Canton Lake

Ft. Gibson Refuge

Ft. Cobb Lake Refuge

Okmulgee WMA

Vann’s Lake

Wagoner County

Webbers Falls Refuge

Wister Lake Refuge

-30-

Whooping crane
population reaches record numbers
Last year was record-breaking for one of North America’s rarest
birds. For the first time in more than 100 years, the population of endangered
whooping cranes surpassed 200 birds. A total of 217 whooping cranes completed
the migration from breeding grounds in Canada to wintering grounds along the
Texas Coast during the fall of 2004.
During the trek, 43 percent of that group appeared at Oklahoma’s
Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge throughout the fall and winter, according
to biologists tracking the birds.
“That was the largest number ever recorded in one place during
migration,” said Mark Howery, natural resources biologist for the Oklahoma
Department of Wildlife Conservation.
The whooping cranes had a successful breeding season this spring,
and nearly 30 young cranes are expected to be migrating with the adults this
fall. With 230-plus leaving Canada, biologists expect an impressive number again
in Oklahoma.
The whooping cranes should pass through the central one-third of the
state between Oct. 20 and the first week of November.
“The cranes we see are part of the last remaining, self-sustaining
population in the world,” Howery said.
The population was down to 15 whooping cranes in 1941. All cranes
that exist today are descendents from this original migratory population.
The Wildlife Department collects whooping crane sightings as part of
a federal tracking program led by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Report any
sightings to the Department of Wildlife Conservation at (405) 521-4616. Please
note date, location, number of birds, behavior (walking, flying), habitat, and
physical description.
“Oklahoma’s sportsmen account for over one-third of the state’s
whooping crane reports,” Howery said.
Whooping cranes stand over five feet tall and are the tallest birds
in North America. These cranes have a wingspan of over seven feet, are white in
appearance, and have black legs and black wing tips. They have a red facial mask
and long olive-drab bills.
They may be seen in wet agricultural fields or along river bottoms
in small groups of two to six birds. They roost at night on mudflats and are
often seen with flocks of sandhill cranes.
Keeping a lookout for whooping cranes is a high priority for Kelvin
Schoonover, wildlife biologist at Hackberry Flat Wildlife Management Area in
Tillman County. Schoonover tracked five birds last fall a record for
Hackberry Flat.
“They’re usually here no longer than two to three weeks, but last
year they arrived on Oct. 19 and stayed until the day before Thanksgiving,”
Schoonover said.
Schoonover also makes sure hunters visiting the area know when a
whooping crane is present.
“Sandhill cranes and snow geese migrate here around the same time,
and they can look a lot like the endangered birds. Hunters need to be very
cautious when whooping cranes are in the area,” he said.
Whooping cranes have not yet made an appearance at Hackberry Flat
this year. However, sandhill cranes are beginning to arrive, which indicates
whooping cranes are probably not far behind.
A total of 341 whooping cranes live today in the wild and 136
survive in captivity. In addition to the original migratory population, there
are two smaller, human-established whooping crane populations in Florida.

-30-

Wildlife
Department seeks bass tournament information
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation is once again
seeking information from bass tournaments conducted over the last year. This
information will be used to compile the 2005 Oklahoma Bass Tournament Report.
“The information we get each year from bass clubs and tournament
organizers provides biologists with hundreds of thousands of hours of fishing
data every year," said Gene Gilliland, senior fisheries biologist for the
Department. "While this information is of critical importance to biologists as
they make management decisions, anglers can also use the same data to help plan
their next fishing trip."
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation has gathered
statewide data on competitive bass fishing for 11 years.
“Since we cannot conduct electrofishing surveys every year on every
lake, tournament results allow our biologists to monitor bass populations
between surveys,” Gilliland said.
Bass clubs and tournament organizations may submit the results of
their events to the Wildlife Department either via the postage-paid post cards
they received from permitting authorities such as Grand River Dam Authority or
the Corps of Engineers or they can submit the information directly to the
Fisheries Research Lab in Norman via the Internet at
www.fishlab.ou.edu/bass/tournament.htm.
The deadline
for clubs to include their date in the 2005 report is Friday, November 11.
Information from this year's tournaments will be compiled and those clubs
submitting data will receive the 2005 Oklahoma Bass Tournaments Annual Report
either by mail or e-mail.
To view
the 2004 Oklahoma Bass Tournaments Annual Report log on to
www.wildlifedepartment.com

Since the first hunter threw the first spear at
a wooly mammoth, looking for a good hunting spot meant lots of walking and lots
of time in the woods. Later came bulky paper maps, but in recent years their
lack of detail and timeliness has caused them to go the way of the mammoths.
Hunters and fishermen now have access to digital aerial photos of
hunting areas that their ancestors could only dream about. The Oklahoma
Department of Wildlife Conservation’s innovative digital atlas is available at
wildlifedepartment.com, and it has revolutionized the way Oklahomans gather
information about hunting or fishing opportunities.
“It is really just a fantastic tool. If you have never tried these
digital atlases you are really missing out and the technology is very user
friendly,” said Rich Fuller, information supervisor of the Oklahoma Department
of Wildlife Conservation.
According to Fuller, when most people log on they first “play
around” looking at aerial photos of their own backyard, but soon they are using
many of the atlas tools.
“You can pull up detailed maps of any wildlife management areas with
just a few clicks of the mouse, then you can use the measuring tool to measure
the distance from the parking lot to a likely looking tree stand location or
measure the acreage of a food plot or farm pond,” Fuller said.
Fuller added that hyperlinks allow users access to a wide variety of
information such as: game species present on the area, management practices used
by the area biologist, local contact information, local fishing opportunities,
as well as camp grounds and parking lots.
“The best piece of advice I could give to someone using the digital
atlas for the first time is to read the directions. It only take about five
minutes and you can learn about all the tools rather than just learning by trial
by error,” Fuller said.
Outdoor enthusiasts can log on to
www.wildlifedepartment.com to see the maps for
themselves.

-30-

Waterfowl
hunters looking forward to upcoming seasonsThe Oklahoma waterfowl season has already begun in the three
panhandle counties, and hunters are keeping their eyes toward the skies
anticipating the arrival of the migratory ducks and geese.“Waterfowl biologists in the northern prairies and Canada reported
good waterfowl reproduction this spring and more young ducks always contributes
to a better hunting season,” said Mike O’Meilia, migratory game bird biologist
for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. “Just like we say every
year, one of the most important components to Oklahoma waterfowl hunting is
weather. If we get timely rains and good strong cold fronts, it could be a great
year to duck and goose hunt in Oklahoma.”The seasons and daily limits will be similar to last year, with
most of the state enjoying a 74-day duck season and six-bird daily limit.
However there were three changes made to the 2005-06 seasons.First, there will be a 12-day mid season closure. In past years the
closure, known commonly as the “split,” has run only five days. Second, the
daily limit on scaup will be reduced from three to two birds. And third, the
daily limit on white-fronted geese will be reduced from two birds to one bird.
These reductions were required by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and were
designed to ensure the long-term population health of these two species.In zone 1 (most of northwest Oklahoma), the first half of the duck
season will open Oct. 29 and run through Dec. 4, with the second half beginning
Dec. 17 and running through Jan. 22, 2006. Be sure to see the regulations for
specific zone boundaries. Pintail and canvasback season will open Oct. 29 and
run through Dec. 4, and then re-open on Dec. 17 and run through Dec. 18. Youth
waterfowl hunting days in zone 1 will be Oct. 22 and 23.\In zone 2, the duck season will run from Nov. 5 through Dec. 4
and Dec. 17 through Jan. 29, 2005. Pintail and canvasback season will open Dec.
22 and run through Jan. 29.
Panhandle counties will offer the longest duck season. The panhandle
counties opened on Oct. 8 and runs continuously through Jan. 11, 2006. Pintail
and canvasback season opened Oct. 8 and runs through Nov. 15. Youth waterfowl
dates for the panhandle will be Oct. 1 and 2.Hunters will be allowed a daily limit of six ducks combined, no
more than five of which can be mallards. Of those, only two mallards may be
hens. Only two scaup, two wood ducks, two redheads may be included in the daily
limit. There is a shortened season on pintails and canvasbacks with a daily
limit of one pintail and one canvasback during the specified time period in each
of the established duck seasons.The statewide Canada goose season will run from Nov. 5 through
Dec. 4 and Dec. 10 through Feb. 12, 2006. The daily limit will be three birds.
The season for white-fronted geese will run Nov. 5 through Dec. 4 and Dec. 10
through Feb. 3, 2006. The daily bag limit is one. The regular season for light
geese (snows, blues and Ross’) will run Nov. 5 through Dec. 4 and Dec. 10
through Feb. 12. The daily bag limit is 20.Sandhill crane season will be from Oct. 29 – Jan. 29, west of I-35
only. The daily limit will be three birds.Hunters can log on to
www.wildlifedepartment.com
to check out the latest wetland status reports. Once the season begins, periodic
waterfowl reports are also available at the Department’s Web site.Hunters who wish to participate in the waterfowl season must posses
unless exempt. Waterfowl hunter must also obtain the following permits, unless
exempt:

a resident or non-resident hunting license,

a 2005 Federal Duck Stamp,

a 2005 Oklahoma Waterfowl License,

a Fishing and Hunting Legacy Permit and

a Harvest Information Program Permit

The federal duck stamp costs $15 and is available at U.S. Post Offices. Hunters
pursuing sandhill cranes must also purchase a separate sandhill crane hunting
permit.

Hunters should
consult the “2005-06 Waterfowl Hunting Guide” for complete hunting regulations
and license requirements. Waterfowl Guides are available at hunting and fishing
license dealers statewide or hunters can obtain complete regulation information
from the Wildlife Department’s Web site at
www.wildlifedepartment.com.

Editors Note:
O’Meilia added that Oct.24 is the deadline for applying for the youth
waterfowl hunts hosted by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
“These unique, fully-guided hunts are designed for youth ages 12-15 who
do not have an adult mentor who waterfowl hunts,” O’Meilia said. “It’s a great
opportunity to introduce a youngster to sport of waterfowling.”For more information or to learn how to apply for these
hunts log on to wildlifedepartment.com or call (405) 424-0122.

Trout stocking on
the lower Mountain Fork River designated trout area below Broken Bow Lake will
resume November 3, according to officials with the Oklahoma Department of
Wildlife Conservation.

Trout stocking
was temporarily suspended at the popular trout stream below Broken Bow Lake when
fisheries personnel determined that water temperature was too warm for rainbow
trout.

“The situation is
much improved,” said Paul Balkenbush, southeast region fisheries supervisor for
the Wildlife Department. “We are finally seeing the cool weather that you would
expect to have this time of year. We still need rain, but the water temperature
situation is back where we need it to be.”

The scheduled
bi-weekly trout stockings at the lower Mountain Fork River will be resumed as
scheduled beginning November 3. The trout that were not stocked due to the warm
water situation will be added to the next three stocking trips.

“Anglers planning
trips to the lower Mountain Fork River should have some excellent fishing over
the coming months,” Balkenbush said. “Our stocking numbers will increase 33
percent during November and part of December as we replenish those fish that
should have been stocked during the suspension.”

Anglers who want
to view the trout stocking schedule can log on to Trout
Stocking.

Anglers
are reminded that everyone who fishes the 12-mile Lower Mountain Fork trout area
are required to possess a trout license. Trout anglers ages 17 and under can
purchase a youth trout license for $5; trout licenses for anglers 18 and older
are $10. There are no exemptions from purchasing the trout license.
Additionally, anglers must have a state fishing or combination license and if 18
or older they must possess the hunting and fishing legacy permit unless
otherwise exempt. Residents age 17 or younger, or age 64 and older are exempt
from the legacy permit. Non-residents age 13 and younger are also exempt.

Before visiting one of Oklahoma’s
trout areas, check the “2005 Oklahoma Fishing Guide” for complete regulations,
as well as maps and additional information for each area.

One of North
America’s rarest birds, the whooping crane, was recently sighted at one of the
continent’s most unique wetlands – Hackberry Flat Wildlife Management Area.

“It’s astounding to
think as little as ten years ago, the chance of seeing a whooping crane in
Oklahoma was incredibly low. You can still consider yourself lucky to see one
here, but with their population continuing to increase, there’s a greater chance
of actually sighting one of these rare and magnificent birds,” said Mark Howery,
natural resources biologist for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife
Conservation.

A pair of whooping
cranes made a stop at Hackberry Flat near Frederick last week and the
possibility for more visits exists in coming weeks. Whooping cranes, which are
endangered, stand nearly five feet tall, making them the tallest birds in North
America. Whooping cranes have a wingspan of over seven feet, are white in
appearance, and have black legs and black wing tips. They have a red facial mask
and long olive-drab bills. Due to the location of the breeding grounds in
Canada and the wintering grounds on the Texas Gulf Coast, whooping cranes only
migrate through the western third of Oklahoma.

“This is a great time
of year to come to Hackberry Flat. Not only can you see shorebirds, ducks and
geese, you might even get a chance to see a whooping crane,” Rod Smith,
southwest region wildlife supervisor for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife
Conservation.

Smith urged
birdwatchers to use caution if they get an opportunity to see the rare birds.

“It’s very exciting
to see whoopers, but it is important to remain a reasonable distance from them
and give them the space they need. I try to keep a pair of binoculars handy so I
can view them easily without disturbing them,” Smith said.

Hackberry Flat is the
state's largest depression wetland. Throughout most the 20th
century, the area was not an oasis for migrating birds. The area was drained in
the early part of the century when a massive, four-mile long ditch was created.
However, the low spots still held water when it rained, which made farming very
difficult on Hackberry Flat.

A massive restoration effort,
which began in 1993, involved various corporations, businesses, and the City of
Frederick in a partnership that also included state and federal agencies and
non-profit conservation organizations. The Wildlife Department
constructed nearly 40 miles of levees and ditches to form a honeycomb of large
ponds, which allows some areas to be flooded.

Hackberry Flat encompasses more
than 7,000 acres of prime migratory bird habitat. The area was featured in a
recent issue of “Field and Stream” magazine as one of the top 25 public land hot
spots in the U.S.; and called the area a “magnet for waterfowl.”

Hackberry Flat Wildlife Management
Area is also a popular place for sandhill crane hunters. The sandhill crane
season opens statewide on Oct. 29, however on the Hackberry Flat Wildlife
Management Area, the sandhill crane season begins on Nov. 5.

“Sandhill cranes and snow geese
migrate here around the same time, and they can look a lot like whooping cranes.
Hunters need to be very cautious when whooping cranes are in the area,” said
Kelvin Schoonover, wildlife biologist at Hackberry Flat for the Oklahoma
Department of Wildlife Conservation.

For tips on identifying whooping
cranes and sandhill cranes, log on to
www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/issues/SandhillCrane/SandhillCraneHunters.htm or turn to page four of the “2005 Oklahoma Waterfowl Hunting Guide.”

A designated
primitive camping area is offered on the area. Both lodging and restaurants are
available in Frederick. The Frederick Chamber of Commerce can be reached at
(580) 335-2126.

For more information about the
wildlife management area, call Kelvin Schoonover, the wildlife biologist at
Hackberry Flat at (580) 335-5262.

If you have been
procrastinating about taking a hunter education course, your time is about to
run out. With deer gun season just a few weeks away, the opportunities to
complete a hunter education class are dwindling by the day.

"We now have more
hunter education options than ever before and we have worked hard to ensure that
there is a class in every region of the state," said Lance Meek, hunter
education coordinator for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
"Statewide, there are 30 plus courses scheduled before the opening of deer gun
season."

For a complete list
of hunter education classes, sportsmen can call the Department's hunter
education hotline 24 hours a day at (405) 521-4650 or log onto the Department's
Website. All classes are free of charge.

"Although there are
quite a few upcoming classes, this time of year classes can fill up fast, so I
strongly encourage folks to attend the next class they can," Meek added.

Anyone under 16 years
of age must successfully complete a hunter education course before hunting big
game (deer, elk, antelope) during primitive firearm and gun seasons. The law
also requires that anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1972, upon reaching 16 years
of age, must exhibit a hunter education certificate from the Wildlife Department
or a like certificate from another state to purchase or receive any Oklahoma
hunting license.

Hunters born after
the above date, who purchased a lifetime license before they turned 16, must
complete a hunter education class before the can hunt big game with a firearm
unless otherwise exempt. For complete information on hunting seasons and hunter
education requirements, hunters should pick up a copy of the "2005 Oklahoma
Hunting Guide.”